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Wednesday, April 30, 2014

I've been looking at some Mother's Day gift ideas in the last while. Among the things that caught my attention were all the recipes for body scrubs. One thing I noticed is that they were all basically the same foundation; everything else was mix and match, and easily customizable.

So I have put together a "choose your own" how-to at my Squidoo site, in a printable format, to make body sugars. I hope you enjoy it!

This photo is of a mixture of golden sugar (what I usually have in my kitchen for any recipe that calls for brown sugar), a chai tea spice blend and blend of almond and extra virgin olive oil.

I hadn't intended to use a blend of oils, but I had less almond oil than I thought and ran out!

Here's a post for the Edmontonians. With my lack of posting these days, I haven't had a chance to write out my 2014 class schedule.

I'm doing it rather differently this year. It takes a bit to explain, but it does make things a lot easier!

First, I am still teaching at the Clareview Michael's. I am only teaching up to 4 Thursdays a month, and I have two class times available; an afternoon class from 3-5:30 and an evening class from 6-8:30.

On the Micheal's calendar, they are all listed as the open "Time for Crochet" class, however anyone interested in a particular class can sign up a day/time slot for whatever class they wish to take, on a first-come-first-serve basis. The staff member registering the class for you will check if a class is already scheduled, mark your choice down in my calendar and pass on a print-out of the class syllabus, so you know what materials you need for the class. If someone else is interested in the same time slot, they can sign up for the same class, but if they want to take a different class, they will have to choose a different date and/or time slot.

The classes themselves have been changed up. Here are the descriptions:

Crochet Beginner 1 - Skinny Scarf or Phone CoverFormerly: Single Crochet
This class is great for the absolute beginner, or someone who hasn't touched a hook in many years.

Crochet Beginner 2 - Pillow or ScarfFormerly: Tall Stitches
A beginner's class for people who already know the basics and how to work in Single Crochet and want to start working on half-doubles, doubles and treble (triple) stitches.,

Crochet Advanced Beginner - Cloche or ScarfFormerly: Textured Stitches
A good class for those who already know the basic stitches, but want to start picking up shells and puff stitches, working in the round (the cloche hat) or more complicated patterns (the rippled shells of the scarf). Pattern reading becomes far more important in this class.

Crochet Advanced Beginner - Granny Square Scarf or Market Bag Formerly: Granny Squares
Good for those who know the basic stitches but want to work on changing colours and working in the round.

Crochet Advanced Beginner - Granny ThrowFormerly: Granny Throw
Take the granny square and kick it up a notch by working a rectangular blanket.

Crochet Intermediate - Lace WrapFormerly: Lace Wrap
Using basic stitches to create an open and airy wrap, worked in two halves from a centre seam. This class includes reading from a pattern diagram.

Crochet Intermediate - Tote BagFormerly: Tote Bag
Learn how to use the half-double stitch to make a larger and sturdy bag, with matching handles.

Crochet Spring BunnyNew
Make a stuffed toy using single crochet and working in the round.

Crochet CoastersNew
Just a few rows worked in the round, a person with basic crochet knowledge should be able to finish at least on of these, if not more, in class.

Crochet Flower BeanieNew
A baby hat in two colours, with ear flaps and a flower.

Crochet Flower ScarfNew
This scarf is worked in very long rounds, finished with a flower to sew on later. Covers shells and working front/back loops.

Of course, the Time for Crochet class is still available; this is the class to book if you need help with something specific. When signing up for this class, make sure the person helping you writes down what it is you want to work on, so that I can prepare for it in advance.

The classes are all 2 1/2 hours (2 hours in class, 1/2 hour yarn tour) and cost $25, though there are often discounts during Open House events.

There currently are no $5 Yarn Nights. I will start them up again if there is any interest.